MANILA — Investors are considering the potentials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to become an investment hub in the region, a BARMM official said on Saturday.
Mindanao is home to many investment centers and BARMM could become one of them, according to Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun
“Iyon pong relatively better peace and security situation in the region at saka nakikita ho noong atin pong mga investors iyong potential noong BARMM to be an investment hub,” CABSEC Pendatun said during a Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
“We are happy to share that in 2023, PhP 3.1 billion worth of investment was recorded in the region and this translates to 1,927 job opportunities,” Pendatun said.
“For 2024 po, we are now at 3.5, at least 3.5 billion. We have already surpassed 42% of our target at hindi pa po natatapos iyong taon,” he added.
Pendatun reported they welcomed 558,000 tourists with 1,394 foreigners.
“Especially po iyong foreign tourists, several years back, parang imposible pong isipin na dadalawin ho kami ng atin pong mga foreign tourists. But nowadays, they’re showing iyong interest at saka iyong boost doon sa atin pong local economy,” Pendatun said.
“We will see that BARMM remains to be the country’s top fish producer. As of the first quarter ng 2024, nasa 33.9 [percent] of the total fisheries production ho sa bansa ay galing sa BARMM – that equates to 335.05 metric tons,” he said.
This is a significant contribution in the agri-fisheries production in the country, Pendatun explained.
Federal Airways recently invested in BARMM to make way for the first-ever regional carrier – the Bangsamoro Airways.
Although the operation of the airline is small and limited, the routes are nevertheless important. The Bangsamoro Airways is the first locally operated airline in the region.
“So, we have flights from Cotabato to Zamboanga, Jolo, and possibly adding new destinations in the future,” Pendatun said.
He said efforts to empower the local government units (LGUs) are relentless. “We continue to empower it. At saka iyong iba pa pong mga pagkilala doon sa efforts noong atin pong mga local government units.”
He said intervention of social services is one of the top priorities in the region.
“In 2023 alone, 35,319 indigent patients o families iyong naka-receive po noong mga holistic na social intervention through various programs of the MSSD [Ministry of Social Services and Development],” Pendatun said.
Some 219,000 indigents were aided by the MSSD last year.
Pendatun said government programs including the 4Ps are implemented in BARMM. Out of the 272,346 beneficiaries, 43,061 have already graduated.
“Ibig sabihin, nawala na ho sila sa listahan gawa po noong nag-improve na ho iyong kanilang mga living conditions,” he said.
He also cited the medical assistance provided by the government and the strengthening of health services in the region. (PND)
